Dodge RAM 1500 Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 1,377 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Dodge RAM 1500 across 18 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (214). The words owners use most often: “turn signal” (6% of reports).
- 1,377electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 26mention a crash
- 11mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,250typical repair cost reported by owners
- 40%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Turn signal: mentioned in 86 of 1,377 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the Dodge RAM 1500 at $1,250, and half of them between $840 and $1,650.
Based on 27 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2019), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 1,049 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,377 complaints, 26 mention a crash, 111 a fire, 11 an injury.
Dodge RAM 1500 electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 RAM 1500 | 175 | 25% | 75,000 |
| 2011 RAM 1500 | 214 | 31% | 86,000 |
| 2010 RAM 1500 | 71 | 15% | 86,789 |
| 2009 RAM 1500 | 97 | 14% | 82,000 |
| 2008 RAM 1500 | 52 | 9% | 43,000 |
| 2007 RAM 1500 | 62 | 12% | 88,300 |
| 2006 RAM 1500 | 125 | 16% | 61,000 |
| 2005 RAM 1500 | 63 | 5% | 83,500 |
| 2004 RAM 1500 | 99 | 9% | 56,000 |
| 2003 RAM 1500 | 62 | 5% | 62,250 |
| 2002 RAM 1500 | 93 | 11% | 80,799 |
| 2001 RAM 1500 | 81 | 7% | 73,000 |
| 2000 RAM 1500 | 35 | 7% | 90,567 |
| 1999 RAM 1500 | 36 | 6% | 97,000 |
| 1998 RAM 1500 | 32 | 6% | 100,000 |
| 1997 RAM 1500 | 23 | 6% | 103,000 |
| 1996 RAM 1500 | 26 | 9% | 143,085 |
| 1995 RAM 1500 | 31 | 15% | 140,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Model years: 2006, 2007
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Dakota, and 2006 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles manufactured July 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006 with manual transmissions. The return springs in the clutch ignition interlock switch may break.
Risk: Broken springs can result in a no-start condition, or cause unintended movement when the ignition is cranked, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clutch ignition interlock switch, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P80.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
brought my 2003 dodge ram 1500 to Romeo dodge to have a Passenger Airbag Recall Repair on [XXX] and I was called one hour later and told my airbag replacement was finished and I could pick up my truck. So i picked up my truck and drove it from Romeo dodge [XXX] to [XXX] where I live I parked the…
While the vehicle was sitting in the driveway not running, the back of the headlight caught on fire. There wasn't any incedents (e.i. any collision, repairs) prior to the indecent. It is available for inspection. No dealership report yet, but have an appointment with local dealership Tuesday to get…
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to purchase a new camper. While the vehicle was parked, the dealer made the contact aware that the passengerâs side turn signal and brake lights were inoperable on the rear towing electrical system, and that the integrated…
The truck will just shut off driving down the road at highway speeds. This has occurred multiple times.
There are multiple electrical issues Iâve had to trouble shoot over the past 4 months. As Iâve researched other people with the same issues online, Iâve bee seeing a lot about some recalls pertaing to electrical issues and fuel issues and so I am wondering if there are prior recalls that I…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge RAM 1500s have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,377 owner complaints about electrical system for the Dodge RAM 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge RAM 1500 electrical system?
Yes: 1 safety recall list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the Dodge RAM 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,250 (half paid between $840 and $1,650), from 27 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Dodge RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “turn signal”, in 86 of 1,377 complaints.
Other Dodge RAM 1500 problems
- Power Train problems (2,382)
- Air Bags problems (2,208)
- Structure problems (2,020)
- Suspension problems (848)
- Steering problems (833)
- Engine problems (740)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (599)
- Exterior Lighting problems (484)
See all Dodge RAM 1500 problems.